As sugarcane farmers continue to push for a guaranteed sugarcane price of $110, National Federation Party Leader and member of the Special Committee on the Sugar Industry, Professor Biman Prasad, has stressed to farmers in the Western Division that claims the NFP promised a price of $110 are a complete lie.
Professor Prasad was questioned by farmers about the alleged promise, and he told them not to believe politicians, however, farmers interjected, saying the issue was not about politics.
He stressed that in their 2018 manifesto, they said farmers should be given $85, which was later provided by the FijiFirst government but nowhere in the NFP’s 2022 manifesto did the party promise $110.
Professor Prasad says that over the past three years, the Government has provided some of the highest cane prices ever paid to farmers, including $91, $105 and $101 per tonne.
He says when compared with production costs, farmers received net returns of $16, $20 and $26 per tonne over the three years.
Professor Prasad also highlighted that the current budget, like previous budgets, provides $15 million for fertiliser subsidies, which he says amounts to about $12.50 per tonne in support for sugarcane farmers.
He says the NFP had called for an $85 cane price in 2014 and $100 in 2018, adding that the current Government under Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka later delivered prices above $100.
Professor Prasad acknowledged that fuel prices remain a major concern for farmers but says the minimum guaranteed cane price for the current season remains at $85 per tonne.
He adds that the Government has also increased support for manual cane harvesters from $3 to $5 per tonne and is providing assistance that will benefit harvester and truck operators.
Professor Prasad urged farmers to look at the facts and the support provided by the Government over the past three years, saying Rabuka is consulting farmers to hear their concerns.
The Special Committee, led by Rabuka continues to meet farmers in the Western Division today.
@fijivillage.com NFP Leader and Sugar Committee member Prof. Biman Prasad has rejected claims that the NFP promised a guaranteed sugarcane price of $110, calling them a complete lie as farmers in the Western Division continue to push for the increase. When Prasad told farmers not to believe politicians, some interjected, saying the issue was not about politics.
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